What does the future have in store for us? Find out in Rovinj from September 22nd until September 25th

• American futurist Gary Whitehill to present his optimistic vision of the 21st century
• LeadingIT managers, but also teenagers to speak about the future, now
• Panel discussions on the curricular reform and digital chaos

Just two weeks before its start, the program for the 9th Weekend Media Festival was announced – the festival will once again take place in Rovinj from September 22nd until September 25th, in the old tobacco factory, under the sponsorship of Adris group. The biggest regional gathering of the communications industry will once again be bringing extremely interesting foreign speakers, present new trends and initiate some important social issues.

“The first nine years flew by unbelievably fast, and yet we still feel like we’re at day one. The enthusiasm is the same, as well as the wish to socialize, exchange knowledge and start new projects in rovinj. Weekend was created as an idea to connect people from the communication industry in a laid back environment. This festival is a combination of a business conference and a great amusement park, this year more so than before”, stated Tomo Ricov, festival director.

To see just how important Weekend Media Festival is for the industry and also Rovinj, Predrag Grubić, Head of Corporate Communications of the Main Sponsor, Adris Grupa stated:
“Weekend Media Festival is the finale of a successful tourist season. I am glad that we at Weekend insist on the concept of creative leisure. For the duration of the Weekend there are alternate different experiences in the communications industry and beyond. Knowledge and business experience is gained and exchanged. Weekend Media Festival is a constant companion of Adris investment efforts to raise the quality of the offer in Rovinj. This is certainly an example of a good practice which is a step up from classical economy.”

One thing that stands out in the program is the lecture of American futurist Gary Whitehill who works with business leaders, governments and organizations in over 60 countries. Even though we live in tumultuous times, Whitelhill will present his optimistic vision for the 21st century right here in Rovinj – a vision lead by innovation, united by culture and inspired by justice. Despite all the perils, Whitehall believes that the power of human brilliance will overcome all fears and change our world for the better.

“The Weekend program was always dominated by new trends and technological changes, but this year we have intensified the change even more. The trends are accelerating; changes have already occurred in many aspects of business and personal life, it is time to talk about the consequences. Several panels are dedicated to the future that is already taking place before our eyes, but we also want to hear how the younger people see what is to come” said program director Nikola Vrdoljak .

Therefore, in the panel called “The future is now” the main theme is a more efficient and smarter way of life and business. What are the key trends and how will technology change our lives? What does smart business look like? On this and related questions, Kresimir Madunović from Iskon Internet, Sonja Popovic from SAP, Vladimir Sabo from HEP and Andjelko Strajher from Megatrend will offer some answers.

But the future is best left to the young ones – today’s teenagers. Lara, Nika and Jan, to be precise. They will join Branimir Brkljač in a panel to talk about how they use the Internet and what they expect from it. We will also hear the experiences of Milan Inić, one of the most successful YouTubers in this region, whose channel Yasserstain has nearly 400,000 subscribers and more than a hundred million views.

Education has a key role in the formation of the future, but everyone agrees that the education system does not correspond to the needs of the society of the 21st century. The curricular reform has become one of the central topics of public debate in Croatia, and it will continue to be so in Rovinj, where the former head of the curricular reform, Boris Jokić will discuss matters together with Predrag Grubić from Adris Group, Korado Korlević from Višnjan and Josip Tica from the Economics University of Zagreb.

The future has already irreversibly changed the music industry, which is taken over by the “Digital Chaos” which is the title of the panel dedicated to music as goods that used to be hard to attain, and today it takes place immediately. Are these changes positive or negative and what are the manufacturers’ views on this, musicians Robert Pešut Magnifico and Ida Prester and Zarko Dimitrioski of Macedonian marketing agency Eden na Eden will try and give us answers.

In addition to lectures, panels and presentations, the Weekend will bring much variety with workshops that will be held parallel in five halls. Workshop participants will be able to learn many new skills, from how to present your idea, through e-mail marketing and Google Analytics to mobile advertising and copywriting.

In cooperation with HURA, all Weekend marketers can also expect the fifth BalCannes revue where advertisers select the best projects and agencies from the region. Applications are in progress, and all interested agencies that wish to present can submit their projects until September 9th. The top 25 will be presented on the main stage on Friday, September 23rd. For the fourth year in a row at the Weekend, the most important regional digital awards are given out – the SoMo Borac awards! Even though we received a record number of entries this year, the applications will be open for three more days – until Friday, September 9th at noon.

And after serious topics and heated debates, it is time for some fun times as it is always the case at the Weekend. The party program starts with Hladno pivo powered by Laško, who will perform on Thursday September 22nd at the Pepermint Club, and visitors who are already here on the first day will be entertained by DJ Filip Jelas until the early morning hours. On Friday, September 23rd Lampshade Media presents Who See, and after that, Tomo In Der Muhlen in the Garden hall, while the weekenders in the Pepermint club will be entertained by Peppe & Sergej Trifunovic. The music program on Saturday September 24th ends with a Jägermeister and Ljetno kino party called “Jägermeister presents Somewhere Over the Region”.

Applications for the 9th Weekend Media Festival are still open, and since interest is very high, we are expecting over 4000 people in Rovinj this year. See you there!

Rovinj
22.-25.09.2016.

Old tobacco factory, Obala Vladimira Nazora 1, Rovinj

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Numerous cameras will be filming on the Weekend Media Festival premises. By entering you agree to be filmed, photographed and recorded. You also agree that all material captured by Weekend Media Festival may be used by Weekend Media Festival for promotional purposes, worldwide.